Papers by Bothwell Batidzirai
More than 99% of all currently produced biofuels are classified as “first generation” (i.e. fuels... more More than 99% of all currently produced biofuels are classified as “first generation” (i.e. fuels produced primarily from cereals, grains, sugar crops and oil seeds) (IEA, 2008b). “Second generation” or “next generation” biofuels, on the other hand, are produced from lignocellulosic feedstocks such as agricultural and forest residues, as well as purpose-grown energy crops such as vegetative grasses and short rotation forests (SRF). These feedstocks largely consist of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Conversion to bioethanol fuel is via hydrolysis of the cellulose and hemicellulose to sugar, after which fermentation of sugar is performed. These feedstocks can also be converted to fuel via gasification or pyrolysis to produce synthetic diesel, bio-oil and other fuels. To be competitive with fossil fuels, there is a need to overcome several technical challenges – which is the focus of current R&D. Generally, the advantage of next generation biofuels (over 1st generation biofuels) i...
This study has been funded by GEF and prepared with UNIDO support to complement the results of th... more This study has been funded by GEF and prepared with UNIDO support to complement the results of the targeted research project "Global Assessment and Guidelines for Sustainable Liquid Biofuel Production in Developing Countries" coordinated by UNEP, and with the active involvement of UNIDO, FAO and three research partners, IFEU Heidelberg,
CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research - Zenodo, Oct 21, 2022
The views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the UK government's official poli... more The views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the UK government's official policies.
Nature Energy
Aligning development and climate goals means Africa's energy systems will be based on clean energ... more Aligning development and climate goals means Africa's energy systems will be based on clean energy technologies in the long term, but pathways to get there are uncertain and variable across countries. Although current debates about natural gas and renewables in Africa are heated, they largely ignore the substantial context specificity of the starting points, development objectives and uncertainties of each African country's energy system trajectory. Here wean interdisciplinary and majority African group of authors-highlight that each country faces a distinct solution space and set of uncertainties for using renewables or fossil fuels to meet its development objectives. For example, Ethiopia is headed for an accelerated green-growth pathway, but Mozambique is at a crossroads of natural gas expansion with implicit large-scale technological, economic, financial and social risks and uncertainties. We provide geopolitical, policy, finance and research recommendations to create firm country-specific evidence to identify adequate energy system pathways for development and to enable their implementation. Achieving both development and climate goals requires that clean energy technologies serve as the foundation of African energy systems. Recent research suggests that high renewable energy shares in African energy systems are technically and economically feasible 1-4 , offer high growth and job creation potential 2,5 , improve climate change resilience 5 and minimize environmental and adverse health impacts 1-5. However, the pathways to get there in terms of transition speed, cost and technology mix, are both diverse and uncertain for individual African
Bioenergy for Sustainable Development in Africa, 2012
On the longer term, the production of second generation biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass is ... more On the longer term, the production of second generation biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass is expected to become economically competitive with gasoline and diesel. A pre-requisite is that several technological hurdles will be overcome and that a large, stable supply of lignocellulosic biomass will be guaranteed. Studies have shown that Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to contribute signifi cantly to the global supply of biomass energy derived from lignocellulosic resources. Due to the high investment costs of establishing largescale second generation biofuel processing plants, the production and export of pre-treated biomass (e.g. pellets) to industrialised countries is a potentially interesting short-term option. An illustrated example is the production of lignocellulosic biomass in Mozambique which has the capacity to annually contribute up to 2% of global energy supply in the form of bioenergy under a strict sustainability framework. However, rationalisation in agriculture will be essential for realising this potential and effi cient logistics are needed to ensure competitive biomass supply
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2022
International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research and Engineering, 2021
Petroleum-based lubricants have dominated the range of lubricants in industrial and domestic mach... more Petroleum-based lubricants have dominated the range of lubricants in industrial and domestic machinery. With the global call to the reduction in fossil fuel consumption and the finite nature of petroleum deposit, interest is increasing in finding alternative lubricants that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. One of such alternatives is lubricant from biomaterials (biomass). In this study, the characterization of palm Oil (oil) as a base oil for bio-lubricant production is carried out with a view to determining the inherent properties of the oil necessary for its use as the base oil for bio-lube production. Three samples of raw palm oil were sourced from open markets within the SouthWest , SouthEast and South-South regions in Nigeria. Each of the samples was divided into two in which one half was bleached and the other used as supplied. Prior to bleaching, the sample was degummed, neutralized and then bleached to improve their qualities. Kaolin clay was used to produce the bleaching agent used to bleach the samples. The raw and bleached samples were analysed for their respective lubricating characteristics. The physicochemical properties were tested for and compared with two commercial petroleum-based lubricants. The results show that raw palm oil has inherent lubricating properties that could enable its use as the base oil for bio-lubricants production. It was also observed that irrespective of the source of the oils, all the raw palm oil samples have similar viscosity with the same pattern of viscosity variation with temperature. Furthermore, there was a positive bleaching effect on all the properties of the oils such as improved colour, acid levels, reduced volatile content, high flash point and density.
Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 2018
Synthetic natural gas (SNG) derived from biomass gasification is a potential transport fuel and n... more Synthetic natural gas (SNG) derived from biomass gasification is a potential transport fuel and natural gas substitute. Using the Netherlands as a case study, this paper evaluates the most economic and environmentally optimal supply chain for the production of biomass based SNG (so-called bio-SNG) for different biomass production regions and location of final conversion facilities, with final delivery of compressed natural gas at refueling stations servicing the transport sector. At a scale of 100 MW th, in , delivered bioSNG costs range from 18.6 to 25.9$/GJ delivered CNG while energy efficiency ranges from 46.8-61.9%. If production capacities are scaled up to 1000 MW th, in , SNG costs decrease by about 30% to 12.6-17.4$ GJ delivered CNG −1. BioSNG production in Ukraine and transportation of the gas by pipeline to the Netherlands results in the lowest delivered cost in all cases and the highest energy efficiency pathway (61.9%). This is mainly due to low pipeline transport costs and energy losses compared to long-distance Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transport. However, synthetic natural gas production from torrefied pellets (TOPs) results in the lowest GHG emissions (17 kg CO 2 e GJ CNG −1) while the Ukraine routes results in 25 kg CO 2 e GJ CNG −1. Production costs at 100 MW th are higher than the current natural gas price range, but lower than the oil prices and biodiesel prices. BioSNG costs could converge with natural gas market prices in the coming decades, estimated to be 18.2$ GJ −1. At 1000 MW th , bioSNG becomes competitive with natural gas (especially if attractive CO 2 prices are considered) and very competitive with oil and biodiesel. It is clear that scaling of SNG production to the GW th scale is key to cost reduction and could result in competitive SNG costs. For regions like Brazil, it is more cost-effective to densify biomass into pellets or TOPS and undertake final conversion near the import harbor.
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2022
International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research and Engineering, 2021
Petroleum-based lubricants have dominated the range of lubricants in industrial and domestic mach... more Petroleum-based lubricants have dominated the range of lubricants in industrial and domestic machinery. With the global call to the reduction in fossil fuel consumption and the finite nature of petroleum deposit, interest is increasing in finding alternative lubricants that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. One of such alternatives is lubricant from biomaterials (biomass). In this study, the characterization of palm Oil (oil) as a base oil for bio-lubricant production is carried out with a view to determining the inherent properties of the oil necessary for its use as the base oil for bio-lube production. Three samples of raw palm oil were sourced from open markets within the SouthWest , SouthEast and South-South regions in Nigeria. Each of the samples was divided into two in which one half was bleached and the other used as supplied. Prior to bleaching, the sample was degummed, neutralized and then bleached to improve their qualities. Kaolin clay was used to produce the bleaching agent used to bleach the samples. The raw and bleached samples were analysed for their respective lubricating characteristics. The physicochemical properties were tested for and compared with two commercial petroleum-based lubricants. The results show that raw palm oil has inherent lubricating properties that could enable its use as the base oil for bio-lubricants production. It was also observed that irrespective of the source of the oils, all the raw palm oil samples have similar viscosity with the same pattern of viscosity variation with temperature. Furthermore, there was a positive bleaching effect on all the properties of the oils such as improved colour, acid levels, reduced volatile content, high flash point and density.
Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 2018
Synthetic natural gas (SNG) derived from biomass gasification is a potential transport fuel and n... more Synthetic natural gas (SNG) derived from biomass gasification is a potential transport fuel and natural gas substitute. Using the Netherlands as a case study, this paper evaluates the most economic and environmentally optimal supply chain for the production of biomass based SNG (so-called bio-SNG) for different biomass production regions and location of final conversion facilities, with final delivery of compressed natural gas at refueling stations servicing the transport sector. At a scale of 100 MW th, in , delivered bioSNG costs range from 18.6 to 25.9$/GJ delivered CNG while energy efficiency ranges from 46.8-61.9%. If production capacities are scaled up to 1000 MW th, in , SNG costs decrease by about 30% to 12.6-17.4$ GJ delivered CNG -1 . BioSNG production in Ukraine and transportation of the gas by pipeline to the Netherlands results in the lowest delivered cost in all cases and the highest energy efficiency pathway (61.9%). This is mainly due to low pipeline transport costs and energy losses compared to long-distance Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transport. However, synthetic natural gas production from torrefied pellets (TOPs) results in the lowest GHG emissions (17 kg CO 2 e GJ CNG -1 ) while the Ukraine routes results in 25 kg CO 2 e GJ CNG -1 . Production costs at 100 MW th are higher than the current natural gas price range, but lower than the oil prices and biodiesel prices. BioSNG costs could converge with natural gas market prices in the coming decades, estimated to be 18.2$ GJ -1 . At 1000 MW th , bioSNG becomes competitive with natural gas (especially if attractive CO 2 prices are considered) and very competitive with oil and biodiesel. It is clear that scaling of SNG production to the GW th scale is key to cost reduction and could result in competitive SNG costs. For regions like Brazil, it is more cost-effective to densify biomass into pellets or TOPS and undertake final conversion near the import harbor.
Modern bioenergy systems have significant potential to cost-effectively substitute fossil energy ... more Modern bioenergy systems have significant potential to cost-effectively substitute fossil energy carriers with substantial GHG emissions reduction benefits. To mobilise large-scale biomass supplies, large volumes of biomass feedstock need to be secured, and competitive feedstock value chains need to be developed and optimised, based on identification of appropriate combinations of feedstock and conversion technologies. This makes assessments of biomass resource availability a critical part of the biomass value chain. Given the global distribution of biomass production regions and markets as well as the nature of raw biomass, pre-processing biomass plays an important role in improving biomass supply chain economics. Logistics and transport are key costs components in the biomass value chain and major investments in infrastructure and capacity are required to realise large scale biomass supplies. Establishing this infrastructure is gradual and takes time, which also applies to the mobilisation of large volumes of biomass. These two aspects are interrelated and region specific due to the unique settings for biomass feedstock production and local infrastructure. Given this context, there is need for examining the entire biomass supply value chain so as to understand the many elements involved in bioenergy mobilisation. Thus, the main objective of this thesis was to design sustainable biomass energy supply chains to enable competitive mobilisation of large scale biomass supplies for both the short and long term. With regards to resource assessments, the analysis showed that, under strict sustainability criteria, substantial volumes of biomass exist which could – if efficiently mobilized – contribute significantly to renewable energy production. Currently, it is more cost-effective to ship densified solid biomass, e.g pellets, from low cost biomass production regions of the world for final large scale conversion in the major biofuel markets. Early biomass conversion to secondary energy carriers in the supply chain is only cost effective where infrastructure already exists for low cost transport to the market. Thus in the short term, wood pellets are expected to play an important role as the internationally traded solid biomass commodity. In the near future, torrefied pellets may become the dominant and preferred internationally traded solid biomass commodity as the technology is commercialised. Overall, advanced biofuels are attractive against fossil fuels both economically and also in terms of GHG reductions. At current conditions, advanced biofuels can be delivered from about 12.5 $/GJfuel and reduce GHG emissions by at least 60%- the threshold of minimum GHG emission saving set in the EU renewable energy directive for biofuels. However, advanced biofuel technologies are being developed and their successful commercialisation of will depend on overcoming several technical and economic challenges. Increasing operational scale, rapid deployment and technological learning are key to biofuel cost reduction. In addition, a large, stable supply of biomass feedstock needs to be guaranteed. To better understand the biomass resource base and implementation possibilities, more scientific research needs to be conducted in developing countries to improve the quality of biomass resource assessments and investigate implementation business models.
Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Biofuels
Energy security, agro-industrial development and international trade : the case of sugarcane in s... more Energy security, agro-industrial development and international trade : the case of sugarcane in southern Africa
Modern bioenergy systems have significant potential to cost-effectively substitute fossil energy ... more Modern bioenergy systems have significant potential to cost-effectively substitute fossil energy carriers with substantial GHG emissions reduction benefits. To mobilise large-scale biomass supplies, large volumes of biomass feedstock need to be secured, and competitive feedstock value chains need to be developed and optimised, based on identification of appropriate combinations of feedstock and conversion technologies. This makes assessments of biomass resource availability a critical part of the biomass value chain. Given the global distribution of biomass production regions and markets as well as the nature of raw biomass, pre-processing biomass plays an important role in improving biomass supply chain economics. Logistics and transport are key costs components in the biomass value chain and major investments in infrastructure and capacity are required to realise large scale biomass supplies. Establishing this infrastructure is gradual and takes time, which also applies to the mobilisation of large volumes of biomass. These two aspects are interrelated and region specific due to the unique settings for biomass feedstock production and local infrastructure. Given this context, there is need for examining the entire biomass supply value chain so as to understand the many elements involved in bioenergy mobilisation. Thus, the main objective of this thesis was to design sustainable biomass energy supply chains to enable competitive mobilisation of large scale biomass supplies for both the short and long term. With regards to resource assessments, the analysis showed that, under strict sustainability criteria, substantial volumes of biomass exist which could – if efficiently mobilized – contribute significantly to renewable energy production. Currently, it is more cost-effective to ship densified solid biomass, e.g pellets, from low cost biomass production regions of the world for final large scale conversion in the major biofuel markets. Early biomass conversion to secondary energy carriers in the supply chain is only cost effective where infrastructure already exists for low cost transport to the market. Thus in the short term, wood pellets are expected to play an important role as the internationally traded solid biomass commodity. In the near future, torrefied pellets may become the dominant and preferred internationally traded solid biomass commodity as the technology is commercialised. Overall, advanced biofuels are attractive against fossil fuels both economically and also in terms of GHG reductions. At current conditions, advanced biofuels can be delivered from about 12.5 $/GJfuel and reduce GHG emissions by at least 60%- the threshold of minimum GHG emission saving set in the EU renewable energy directive for biofuels. However, advanced biofuel technologies are being developed and their successful commercialisation of will depend on overcoming several technical and economic challenges. Increasing operational scale, rapid deployment and technological learning are key to biofuel cost reduction. In addition, a large, stable supply of biomass feedstock needs to be guaranteed. To better understand the biomass resource base and implementation possibilities, more scientific research needs to be conducted in developing countries to improve the quality of biomass resource assessments and investigate implementation business models.
Bioenergy for Sustainable Development in Africa, 2011
... Depending on the catalyst, a different fuel is produced. Generally, iron and cobalt catalysts... more ... Depending on the catalyst, a different fuel is produced. Generally, iron and cobalt catalysts are used in the process. ... A related thermo-chemical process is called hydrother-mal upgrading (HTU). ... Lignocellulosic biomass Anaerobic digestion SNG CH4 ...
Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Biofuels
Energy security, agro-industrial development and international trade : the case of sugarcane in s... more Energy security, agro-industrial development and international trade : the case of sugarcane in southern Africa
Applied Energy, 2014
h i g h l i g h t s First generation biofuels have a cost range of 5-45 $/GJ for all settings con... more h i g h l i g h t s First generation biofuels have a cost range of 5-45 $/GJ for all settings considered in this study. Second generation biofuels have a cost range of 14-26 $/GJ for all settings considered in this study. There is higher uncertainty in cost estimates for second than first generation biofuels. Key cost factors are labour costs, agricultural efficiency, biomass yields and conversion costs. Acquiring location specific data is essential for accurate cost estimation.
Bioenergy for Sustainable Development in Africa, 2011
... Depending on the catalyst, a different fuel is produced. Generally, iron and cobalt catalysts... more ... Depending on the catalyst, a different fuel is produced. Generally, iron and cobalt catalysts are used in the process. ... A related thermo-chemical process is called hydrother-mal upgrading (HTU). ... Lignocellulosic biomass Anaerobic digestion SNG CH4 ...
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2009
This paper discusses the economic, social and environmental benefits from using solar water heati... more This paper discusses the economic, social and environmental benefits from using solar water heating (SWH) in Zimbabwe. By comparing different water heating technology usage in three sectors over a 25-year period, the potential of SWH is demonstrated in alleviating energy and economic problems that energy-importing countries like Zimbabwe are facing. SWH would reduce coincident electricity winter peak demand by 13% and reduce final energy demand by 27%, assuming a 50% penetration rate of SWH potential demand. Up to $250 million can be saved and CO 2 emissions can be reduced by 29% over the 25-year period. Benefits are also present at individual consumer level, for the electricity utility, as well as for society at large. In the case of Zimbabwe, policy strategies that can support renewable energy technologies are already in current government policy, but this political will need to be translated into enhanced practical activities. A multi-stakeholder approach appears to be the best approach to promoting widespread dissemination of SWH technologies.
Uploads
Papers by Bothwell Batidzirai